In-form Christchurch mare Live Drama will head across the Cook Strait this week to try and snare some northern spoils.
The daughter of Ghibellines will tackle Saturday’s Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Trentham and trainer Lance Robinson believes she is up to the task.
Live Drama will head into the weekend in a fresh state, having spent some time in the paddock following New Zealand Cup Week at Riccarton last month where she was runner-up in the Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and fifth in the Listed Stewards’ Stakes (1200m).
“She went terrific over Cup week and backed up in the Stewards where I felt she was a bit unlucky,” Robinson said.
“She got buffeted the whole race and carried a big weight (57.5kg). I thought her Stewards run had a lot of merit, especially backing up off a 1400m run.
“She has had a nice little freshen-up since then and she is very well. This race fits in really well into her program. 1400m at weight-for-age really suits her and hopefully she will run well.”
A seasoned traveller, Live Drama will head north later this week and will jump from barrier nine in the 13-horse field.
“She will travel up on Thursday morning. She has done a bit of travelling now so that won’t worry her,” Robinson said.
“There is a scratching, so she comes into nine which isn’t too bad, she gets back a little bit off pace. She will get a bit of room from there and I don’t see the draw being a problem.”
Robinson will continue to chase stakes glory next week at Wingatui on Boxing Day where he will have a two-pronged attack in the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m) with Avaquinella and Adannaya.
“They are really well, they have come through Cup Week in good order and they are in great shape. It is a good field, but I am sure they will be competitive,” Robinson said.
They will be supported on the undercard by Diagon Alley and Forever Babe.
“Diagon Alley has been racing well without any luck in her three starts down here. She steps up to a mile and back to a 65 rater, she should be hard to beat,” Robinson said.
“Forever Babe went terrific the other day on the synthetic and has improved off that.”
While looking forward to tackling stakes targets later in the week, Robinson is excited to head to Ashburton on Wednesday where he will be represented by Aerial Blue and Zappolino.
“Aerial Blue is racing really well and should be very competitive,” Robinson said. “Zappolino is up in grade a little bit, he ran third in a 60 rating the other day. Hopefully with the claim it brings him into the race.
“They both should run well.”
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